Arkansas Senate approves guns in church bill

By a 28-4 vote, the Senate on Monday approved a proposal that would leave it up to churches and other religious institutions to decide whether to allow concealed weapons.

ANDREW DeMILLO, Associated Press

The Arkansas Senate has approved a proposal to allow concealed handguns in churches and other houses of worship.

By a 28-4 vote, the Senate on Monday approved a proposal that would leave it up to churches and other religious institutions to decide whether to allow concealed weapons. Churches are currently among the places where concealed handguns are prohibited by state law.

Past efforts to allow guns in churches have failed in the state Legislature under a majority-Democrat Legislature. The measure how heads to the House.

Democratic Gov. Mike Beebe has indicated he'll likely sign the measure into law if it reaches his desk. Beebe has said he's comfortable with the legislation leaving the decision on concealed weapons up to individual churches.